Inner-tube tester for pneumatic tires



L. F. BURKE. INNER TUBE TESTER FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 4,1921.

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W I TNESSES:

L.) aw B A TTORNE Y.

I Patented Nov. 2, i322.

.%I E. BURKE, 0F DETRQIT, MICHIGAN.

INNER-TUBE TESTER FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES.

Application filed Feburary 4, 1921.

Tube Tester for pneumatic tires, ,and declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enableothers skilled pertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which 'form a part of these specifications.

The object of my Invention is to provide a testing jacket, or case, forlocating small are causlng pressure.

' on vehicles,

holes in the inner air retaining tube of a pneumatic rubber tire, as isin common use such as cause a slow leak in the tire. a i

Another object is to provide a testing case which will allow the innertube to be inclosed therein, and inflated, thus allowing it. to beimmersed in a tank of water, under high pressure, disclosing the smallholes which the slow leak, but which would be impossible to locate undera normal A further object is to provide a testing case to preventbulging or undue expansion of the tube when inflated to a high pressure.

A still further object is to provide a case that is simple inconstruction, easily and efliciently operated, and one that can bemanufactured at a low cost.

These several objects are secured in their preferred form by theconstruction and arrangement of 1' describe Similar parts on alldrawings are marked by similar numerals.

Fig. 1, is front view of the tube retainer case, showing the generalconstruction and means for securely locking the walls when inflating thetube. v

Fig. 2, is a side new of the retainer showin the arrangement of thewalls.

Ti 3, is a sectional view AA- showing the v theedges of the casing whenmflatmg.

Fig. 4, is a sectional view BB showing the inner tube and valve stem asplaced in the testing case. p I

Fig. 5, is also a sectional view of the testing case in its openedposition, to illustrate parts as are more fully hereinwall details andmeans for clamping serial No. 442,435.

the means flating.

Bythe ordinary inner tube is inflated wlth an to a normal pressure andwater to locate the hole. ability toinflate the tube only to a very lowpressure, because of a possibility of bulging and bursting the tube, itis diflicult to locate for inserting the tube before inthe small holescausing the slow leak in the in the art to which 1t t ube.

My invention consists of a woven casin of shape similar to the outercasing oi an automobile tire with an opening for insort ng the tube, andmeans for holding and retainlng the shape of the tube when inflated.

The apparatus is designedto protect the tube, and prevent any bulgingdue to weak spots in the tube walls, and allow it to be nflated to asgreat a pressure, if desired, as IlS IS subjected to when in use on thevehicle, slightly stretching the tube walls, and opening the small holesthus locating the slow leak when immersed in a tank of water.

I will nowdescribe more fully the detailed construction, and partsthereof, referrmg to the accompanying drawings and the marks thereon.

The preferred form of construction of the testing case consists of awoven casing similar to the shape of an ordinary outer casing of anautomobile tire, being of a circular form, and open on acket forinserting the tire tubeyand of a cross section to retain the shape ofthe tire tube 6 when inflated. The outer walls 1, may be built up of anywoven material, either of wire or fabric, or of a perforated sheet, andpreferably of a coarse weave or mesh. In building the 'walls 1', awoven-wire screen to fit. the tube 6 is the preferred form.

he longitudinal wires run the entire length around the casing, while thecross wires form the cross section of the jacket and are fastened ateither end to the reinforcing rings 2. The walls being stiif and rigidit retains its original shape at all times, and facilitates the handlingof the frame, and in opening and entering the tube 6 for testing. Theopen meshes of the wires allow the free contact of the water in theimmersing tank with the tube 6, and makes it' easy locate the holecausing the slow leak. The

open meshes of the wire screen also allow for Owing to the inthe innerside of the.

the marking of the hole as indicated by the water bubble, for repairinglater when removed from the tester. However the casing 1 may be made ofany woven material that can conform to the shape of the tube 6, withstrength in'the fabric sufiicient to withstand the strain when the tubeis inflated. The

opening 3 on the inner side of the casing bent in one place to allow thevalve stem the smallest holes in -5 of the tube, to pass through thecasing to avoid injury thereto and to provide for inflating the tube.After securely clamping the reinforcing rings -2 together, the tube maythen be inflated to any desired pressure without danger of bulging orinjury from undue expansion, and the whole frame immersed in a tank ofwater. The tube being under high pressure and the tire slightly expandedabove the normal size, opens even the tube walls and inserting the tiretube,

allows bubbles of air to pass freely from its surface, and locating allholes which may be then marked and the tuberemoved and repaired.

Having fully described mv invention, its construction and the operationthereof, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure LettersPatent is:

1. In a single unit testing case of the character described, comprisinga single retaining Wall, edge reinforcing rings, means for and means forretaining same therein.

2. In a single unit testing tube casing of the character described,comprising a single retaining wall having an inner wall opening, edgewall reinforcing rings, means for holding said rings in a closedposition.

3. In a single unit tube testing case of the character described,comprising a single retaining wall having an inside wall opening,rednfqrcing edge rings, ring clamps and means for connectingandoperating same.

In testimony whereof, I Lnn- F. BURKE, sign these specifications.

LEE F. BURKE.

Witnesses:

' M. J. DIR ns, L. H. DAvIs.

